Latest Intel On Kiefer: The Vancouver Canucks have a dilemma on their hands with Kiefer Sherwood. For the second straight season, he’s proving that he can punish opponents with more than just his body; he can do it on the scoresheet as well.
Sherwood—the pending unrestricted free agent—already has 12 goals in 22 games, all while doling out his usual share of body blows, with 96, putting him second in the league. Last year, he blew away the all-time NHL record for most hits in a single season with 462. But he also found the net a career-high 19 times to go with 40 points.
But as noted by TSN’s Darren Dreger on Insider Trading, an extension for Sherwood is no certainty in Vancouver. In fact, far from it.
There’s no guarantee that they’re going to extend this guy… He could become legit trade fodder for the Vancouver Canucks, but that’ll happen closer to the trade deadline.
In the meantime, teams around the league are keeping Sherwood on their radar, as the 6-foot, 194-pound forward would be a terrific addition for a number of playoff teams. Vancouver Canucks He’s playing up and down the lineup for the Canucks, anywhere from the third line to the top line.
Canucks’ depth at forward may lead them to trade pending UFA Sherwood
Dreger did add that there is an “amicable back and forth” between the Canucks and Sherwood’s agent, but due to the depth on the wings in Vancouver, there’s a very real possibility they could be open to trading him.
The 30-year-old is averaging a career-high in time on ice as well, at 17:44, three minutes better than last year.
As for what it would cost to sign Sherwood to his next contract—whether that’s with Vancouver or any acquiring team—reports earlier this month suggest he should be in line to more than triple his current $1.5 million AAV.
“Speaking with various league sources this week, Sherwood’s price tag may start with a 5, as in his next AAV may be in the $5 million range if he keeps producing offensively and physically this season,” said insider David Pagnotta.
Definitely an intriguing player to watch over the next couple of months as the trade deadline approaches.
